Potential mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease: Consequences of l-DOPA treatment

▶ Parkinson's disease patients have high incidences of affective disorders. ▶ l-DOPA treatment does not reliably improve affective symptoms. ▶ l-DOPA is taken up by NE and 5-HT neurons and released as a false neurotransmitter. ▶ l-DOPA may worsen or induce anxiety and depression by perturbing NE and 5-HT systems.